9 dogs killed in Blooming Grove blaze

BLOOMING GROVE — Nine dogs died Wednesday in a burning home in Mountain Lodge Park and six were rescued by firefighters.

BY JOHN SULLIVAN

BLOOMING GROVE — Nine dogs died Wednesday in a burning home in Mountain Lodge Park and six were rescued by firefighters.

The six rescued animals were taken to Companion Animal Hospital in Washingtonville.

"So far, everyone who came here has been resting comfortably," said George Chondris, the veterinarian at the site.

Sgt. Nick Solfaro of Blooming Grove police said he saw the dogs wet and shaking as firefighters carried the animals out of the charred remains of the bungalow at 7 Wildwood Trail.

Nine dogs died in the fire and one is missing, Solfaro said.

According to Michelle Squillante, who identified herself as the landlord of the property, the owner of the animals is her tenant, a food-truck vendor who was driving home when the fire started at about 11:15 a.m. The tenant has been living at the house for nearly a year, Squillante said.

More than 50 firefighters fought the blaze, which took 45 minutes to extinguish, said Salisbury Mills fire Chief John Hesse. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, he said.

Fire inspectors are investigating the cause of the fire, Hesse said.

Solfaro said police are investigating to determine if there any issues regarding the care of the dogs.